Fla. judge: ex-major leaguer Leyritz can post bond

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Former major leaguer Jim Leyritz, jailed earlier this month on a charge of domestic battery against his ex-wife, will be allowed to await his upcoming DUI manslaughter trial on bond, a judge ruled Monday.

Broward Circuit Judge Marc Gold decided Leyritz could be released from custody once he has posted $1,000 bond for the domestic battery charge. Under the terms of his release, Leyritz would be allowed to live in a friend’s unoccupied house in nearby Weston, and communication between the 45-year-old former ballplayer and his ex-wife must take place only through their lawyers.

Leyritz, who played for six teams in 11 seasons and was last in the majors in 2000, was arrested July 2 in the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Davie and charged with domestic battery against his ex-wife Karrie. That was considered a violation of Leyritz’s release conditions.

“I’m not going to comment on the evidence that’s presented,” Gold said. “Maybe my ruling is the comment. But I do believe he’s entitled to a bond under appropriate conditions.”

Online records for the Broward Sheriff’s Office indicated Leyritz was still in custody Monday afternoon. His attorney, J. David Bogenschutz, said he expected his client would post bond in coming hours.

“Usually they tell you four to eight hours,” he said. “So, tonight probably.”

Leyritz’s ex-wife has given conflicting versions of the altercation that led to the former ballplayer’s latest arrest.

She first told police they were arguing over child support when he struck her twice in the face and pushed her to the ground for writing a check without his permission. She later said her ex-husband dragged her out of bed and pushed her against a wall.

Leyritz has said his ex-wife was drunk and hurt herself to get back at him for trying to evict her from the house. He recounted the incident in testimony Monday, saying he woke up to find two Davie police officers at his home and didn’t know why they had been called.

“I said that’s got to be impossible,” Leyritz said he told police. “There’s no way that could happen. I just woke up.”

Leyritz and his ex-wife were sharing a home with their children, who were asleep when officers arrived at the house, according to a police report.

“This is not unlike any other domestic violence case,” prosecutor Stefanie Newman said. “The victim claims something happened. The defendant said it didn’t happen.”

Gold, however, disagreed with Newman.

“In terms of what’s being presented to me, it’s almost unique,” Gold said. “How do you address the stark differences in her testimony?”

Leyritz had burst into tears when Gold postponed a ruling Thursday, keeping him jailed for another weekend. After Monday’s decision, Leyritz’s attorney said his client was “very relieved.”

“I think you could see it in his face,” Bogenschutz said.

Newman left Monday’s hearing without comment.

Leyritz’s DUI manslaughter trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 14. Police have said they believe Leyritz drove his sport utility vehicle through a red light in December 2007 and crashed into another vehicle, driven by 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch.

Veitch, who had a blood-alcohol level above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08, was thrown from her vehicle and died at a hospital. Leyritz has pleaded not guilty.

In 1996, Leyritz hit a home run for the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the World Series against Atlanta. The homer made it 6-6, and the Yankees went on to win in 10 innings. New York took the Series in six games for its first title in 18 years.

Leyritz was mostly a catcher during his 11 seasons, averaging .264 with 90 homers. He also played for the Angels, Rangers, Red Sox, Padres and Dodgers.